I've been wanting to pull together some pirate garb, but I've been a little unsure of what direction to take it in. I have a couple of the moreiconic pieces - a tricorn hat, boots - and am hoping to try and put the rest of it together without spending too much.
To that end - inspire me! Ladies, show me your pirate garb, particularly garb that incorporates a "standard"-look bodice.
(Also share your favorite pirate accessories! Keys, feathers, coins - lay it on me. :D)
Pardon any typos/formating errors, typing this on my phone on the sly at work. ;)
Well, my "pirate" persona consists entirely of adding a tricorn to my standard wench ensemble! LOL To me, pulling off a pirate look is as much about attitude as it is your actual costume pieces (and, of course, having the others in your company dressed as pirates, as well).
Here's a shot of Milord's family from pirate weekend a few years ago.
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17691164/397084340.jpg)
I also wear one of Milord's shirts instead of one of my peasant blouses, and a pair of leather arm bracers. And I'll wear boots instead of my normal fair shoes. It's not a whole lot of changes, but it's enough to read "pirate," particularly when I'm with the whole scruffy gang. Last year for Christmas, Milord got me this pirate coat (http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-842-mary-read-pirate-coat.aspx), in case we have cold days like we have the last two seasons. And you can see that Milord's mum wears leggings and a waist cincher instead of a skirt and bodice. If you are allowed weapons (we are not), a brace of pistols or a cutlass makes a nice accessory!
One thing to remember is that as long as humans have been sailing, there have been pirates (and continue to be to this day). A Renaissance-era pirate is hard to distinguish from anyone else in period-correct garb at Fair, so you'll see a lot of 18th Century-style pieces--frock coats, tricorns, tall boots, etc--worn a little "roughly." A woman dressed in at least a couple of masculine items can help sell the look, as well.
Have fun!
This was around my first attempt at Pirate Garb for the Renn Faire:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/jubileel/Sep26570.jpg)
What it evolved into:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3502261266_62e1ef8c38_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathykl/3502261266/)
The coat is the same but I hated that leather bodice and the skirt just did not go and wasn't really good for anything else so... 18th C Petticoat and 18th C Waistcoat it was! That petticoat goes with everything too...
Here is some pirate garb from a couple of years ago. I have a different hat now & received a beautiful pair of skull and crossbone bloomers from a friend for a Christmas present, but no pictures yet this year. Waiting to wear the new outfit to faire for the first time.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e109/LadyReneeBuchanan/P1010008-2.jpg)
Loving all the pics so far, I can't wait to hopefully get to Joann's this weekend for fabric. I'm getting really excited to get going on this.
Lady Renee, I think we may have the same boots! (Only mine are brown.) Assuming they are the same, are they comfy? I haven't had a chance to break mine in yet.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i182/denamike/CORF%202010/MG2fullshot.jpg)
This was my first attempt at a pirate look. I "premiered" it at Colorado last year. I've since made some changes (mostly altering the silhouette to be more fitted due to weight loss), and switched to boots from Willing Soles instead of the plain black ones. I still love this look! I made the hat to match because I'm kinda freaky about hats. :-)
Koshiba, my boots are black suede. I bought them at Payless Shoe Source about 5 or 6 years ago for around $30. They don't do well in wet weather, because I never waterproofed them, but they are fine in regular weather. I have Dr. Scholl inserts for all my boots/shoes because I have bad feet which hurt after walking around faire all day, but with the inserts, they are very comfortable.
The only shoes that have never hurt my feet and don't need inserts are those from Willin Soles, my favorites in all the world, and I wear the Mary Jane type to work - they're that comfortable.
This is one of my pirate outfits. :)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/5797091829_86819345b7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5797091829/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5797091829/) (http://www.flickr.com/people/41799285@N04/)
Okay now I need a faire fix lol!
I think I've mostly figured out what I'm doing now, just need to go buy some fabric. =)
Lady Renee, I love the neckline on your chemise, is that style called anything in particular? Anyone know how you go about making something like that?
My pirate outfit, worn some years ago, was put together from stuff I already had. It's mostly Renaissance items, but combined differently. Most pirate outfits are 18th century, maybe 17th century, but 16th century worked surprisingly well.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t127/arnesentouring/piratfest/pirat29.jpg)
I used my linen chemise with lace neck opening. The sleeves are wide, but they have a drawstring at the cuffs. Later in the evening I used that to attach them to the shoulders, leaving the arms bare. I wore the brown underskirt with golden embroidered hem as main skirt (and draped it up later on), and overneath I wore a brown underbust corset with gold deco. It has cool lacing in the back. I also wore a golden chain girdle with a sword (real plastic!), keys and a fan attached, and a green scarf on my head. Oh, and a fantastically tacky tiger head necklace. :lol:
AARRRRR!
Bonny P - that is HOT!
Love the shape of the coat, did you make it?
Same goes for you, Opera. I would say here is the pirates hostage..
My chemise is from a company called Heart's Delight. I first saw this style when Lady Nicolette wore one of their long chemise dresses and loved it! Mine is blouse length.
They are at many faires & also have a website (but it isn't very good). I don't know about making anything like that, because I am a very beginner sew-er (nowhere near good enough to even be called a beginner seamstress!). That info will have to come from those with more experience! ;D
Here is me in one of them last year:
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/29964_740401218075_21421727_40738137_1535510_n.jpg)
Quote from: Imestra on June 05, 2011, 06:56:56 AM
Bonny P - that is HOT!
Love the shape of the coat, did you make it?
Same goes for you, Opera. I would say here is the pirates hostage..
Thank you! I wish but I am not talented in the art of sewing. :) I purchased this coat and a solid black brocade coat from Damsel in this Dress. She has a wonderful eye for fabric and design. What is nice about this design is that the sleeves can come off, so on the warmer days it gives you options. I have also used these coats in I guess you could say more of a Russian type of dress as well during the end of our faire season when it gets cooler.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5191/5800152533_907fde7869.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5800152533/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5800152533/) (http://www.flickr.com/people/41799285@N04/)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/5800152741_75ca633634.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5800152741/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5800152741/) (http://www.flickr.com/people/41799285@N04/)
(http://55914_1686586966193_1283237767_31874002_482345_o)
This is one of my casual around camp looks
(http://219612_2021439537298_1283237767_32494493_7741716_o)
This was taken at the Swashbuckler Ball in Fell Point This year.
Personally, I know I'm a pirate so anything I wear is pirate garb, but I try to find nautical touches.
This has become known as my Pirate Frock:
(http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/195/369/DSCF0158_large.jpg?1305379631)
Bonny-
I LOVE your belt, may I ask where you purchased it?
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on June 05, 2011, 07:22:15 AM
My chemise is from a company called Heart's Delight. I first saw this style when Lady Nicolette wore one of their long chemise dresses and loved it! Mine is blouse length.
They are at many faires & also have a website (but it isn't very good). I don't know about making anything like that, because I am a very beginner sew-er (nowhere near good enough to even be called a beginner seamstress!). That info will have to come from those with more experience! ;D
I was just browsing my Faire's merchant listing and found that Heart's Delight is at my faire! Huzzah. I think I'm gonna have to pay them a visit come August. Thanks for letting me know who to look for. =D
Quote from: Koshiba on June 08, 2011, 10:14:39 PM
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on June 05, 2011, 07:22:15 AM
My chemise is from a company called Heart's Delight. I first saw this style when Lady Nicolette wore one of their long chemise dresses and loved it! Mine is blouse length.
They are at many faires & also have a website (but it isn't very good). I don't know about making anything like that, because I am a very beginner sew-er (nowhere near good enough to even be called a beginner seamstress!). That info will have to come from those with more experience! ;D
I was just browsing my Faire's merchant listing and found that Heart's Delight is at my faire! Huzzah. I think I'm gonna have to pay them a visit come August. Thanks for letting me know who to look for. =D
I work at the Heart's Delight at MIRF-the chemise Lady Renee is wearing is called a Heart Dress and comes in every color of the rainbow and prices are dependent on the fabric. The dresses are made in several fabric options-from cotton gauze to velvet to silk (varies from faire to faire, weekend to weekend)-they also have fancier versions with lace and ribbon accents. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the info! I was also browsing their website. I tend to prefer my chemise blouse-length, but I adore the sleeves on the heart dress. Oh conundrum. Well, I have a couple months to think about it anyway. :)
Quote from: fallenangel1241 on June 07, 2011, 10:44:33 PM
Bonny-
I LOVE your belt, may I ask where you purchased it?
Thank you! I bought that belt at TRF and for the life of me can't recall the merchants name right now. ::) Maybe some other TRF goers can name it... leaving the Sea Devil, heading toward the French section, past Ren Gypsy's shop and the alchemy shop.... They sell belts, leather tankards and miscellaneous leather items.
Quote from: Koshiba on June 09, 2011, 08:30:23 AM
Thanks for the info! I was also browsing their website. I tend to prefer my chemise blouse-length, but I adore the sleeves on the heart dress. Oh conundrum. Well, I have a couple months to think about it anyway. :)
They do make a Heart Blouse-same neckline and sleeves without the dress-length and three-tiered bottom. :)
http://heartsdelightclothiers.net/site/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6 (http://heartsdelightclothiers.net/site/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6)
Thank you fallen angel for the website address. I haven't seen the new website. I don't go the website much, because the old one wasn't very extensive, and Heart's Delight is at several of the faires we go to. But this new website is great!
Lady R, I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences with Heart's Delight. We've stopped buying from them b/c the staff at their KCRF booth is SO INCREDIBLY RUDE every time we've shopped there. :(
I noticed the blouse but the sleeves didn't seem quite the same, less full. Maybe it's just the picture? If they are the same that would be perfect. I just love foufy sleeves. :)
Quote from: gem on June 10, 2011, 10:23:45 AM
Lady R, I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences with Heart's Delight. We've stopped buying from them b/c the staff at their KCRF booth is SO INCREDIBLY RUDE every time we've shopped there. :(
Gem, I'm really sorry to hear you've had such bad experiences! You should consider calling the number posted on their website and filling them in on your experiences. It is a family owned and run business and if they are losing patrons because of employees, I'm sure they would take some kind of action. As I mentioned, I worked at the MIRF booth and have for several years. I actually switched from another clothing booth whose business practices I didn't enjoy upholding-so it's sad to hear that there are problems with the salespeople elsewhere. :)
Quote from: Koshiba on June 10, 2011, 11:08:09 AM
I noticed the blouse but the sleeves didn't seem quite the same, less full. Maybe it's just the picture? If they are the same that would be perfect. I just love foufy sleeves. :)
The sleeves should be exactly the same, but I would recommend taking a look at the gwendolyn blouse if you like poofy sleeves! Would love to hear what you end up with!
Quote from: gem on June 10, 2011, 10:23:45 AM
Lady R, I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences with Heart's Delight. We've stopped buying from them b/c the staff at their KCRF booth is SO INCREDIBLY RUDE every time we've shopped there. :(
They are at Bristol and we just visited St. Louis, and everybody in both places were very nice. Didn't buy anything on this last visit, but they acknowledged us, asked if we needed help, & when we said no, just looking, they weren't pushy. They also made small talk with us about visiting the faire, etc, so yes, I have always had good experiences wih the staff.
Quote from: fallenangel1241 on June 10, 2011, 04:27:29 PM
The sleeves should be exactly the same, but I would recommend taking a look at the gwendolyn blouse if you like poofy sleeves! Would love to hear what you end up with!
Looking at the pictures again, I think it's the way the models are wearing them (one with the elastic down, one at the elbow) that was throwing me off. I do think the sleeves on the Gwendolyn are gorgeous, but I think I'm leaning more toward the heart blouse right now. Arg, is it time for Faire yet? ???
Ok, buccaneers! I need a little help upgrading my pirate kit. Milord gave me this wool frock coat for Christmas, and I love it (it was 54 degrees and RAINING today, and I was warm and toasty in my wool coat! ;D), and I'm fine with the hat... but I don't love anything else about this:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23882966/398516347.jpg)
I need ideas for a new chemise (perhaps something less voluminous, so I can wear it tucked into breeches), bodice or waistcoat, breeches or hosen, etc. We have a no weapons policy at our fair, so cutlasses and pistols are out, alas! My boots are very practical, but I'd happily entertain suggestions for alternatives.
Ideas?
Gramercy!!
(BTW, as an update to my previous post, we stopped in at the HD booth on an early weekend this season, and I am happy to say we were treated very respectfully, and the staff was enthusiastic and helpful to the other customers there, and not at all surly or impatient. Such a nice change from previous years! We may renew our custom with them. Milord has always liked their pants.)
Maybe some brighter colors? A nice rich red or a pumpkin orange would look good with your coat and, maybe a longer skirtish kind of thing. Like the one that Veronica wears in the duel in Dangerous Beauty. That way you can wear your boots and leggings
I don't know how you "do pirate" with no weapons. I wear fancy bodices and standard circle skirts, but it becomes pirate when accessorized with 3 pistols, 2 swords, a dagger, a bodice dagger, and a large mug (for rum of course!). I'd look like a plain wench without my weapons.
I agree with Adriana, brighter colors! I'd love to see it with a red silky skirt tucked up high in front to show off your boots, and a white chemise to contrast with that gorgeous bodice.
Quote from: gem on September 17, 2011, 04:48:48 PM
Ok, buccaneers! I need a little help upgrading my pirate kit. Milord gave me this wool frock coat for Christmas, and I love it (it was 54 degrees and RAINING today, and I was warm and toasty in my wool coat! ;D), and I'm fine with the hat... but I don't love anything else about this:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23882966/398516347.jpg)
I need ideas for a new chemise (perhaps something less voluminous, so I can wear it tucked into breeches), bodice or waistcoat, breeches or hosen, etc. We have a no weapons policy at our fair, so cutlasses and pistols are out, alas! My boots are very practical, but I'd happily entertain suggestions for alternatives.
Ideas?
Gramercy!!
(BTW, as an update to my previous post, we stopped in at the HD booth on an early weekend this season, and I am happy to say we were treated very respectfully, and the staff was enthusiastic and helpful to the other customers there, and not at all surly or impatient. Such a nice change from previous years! We may renew our custom with them. Milord has always liked their pants.)
I'm going to go against the others and say a nice cream colored ladies' waistcoat would be lovely as well as some new britches. I'd made the leg puffier, like later 18th c pants; and add cute buttons to the pant cuffs at the knee.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nom0LLxPPG0/SahqQULXINI/AAAAAAAABBc/RmuNu4OI8Nc/s400/18th+Century+Embroidery002.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nom0LLxPPG0/SahqQULXINI/AAAAAAAABBc/RmuNu4OI8Nc/s400/18th+Century+Embroidery002.jpg)
(http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8rhh1mDZI1qzmd43o1_500.jpg)
Something like either one of those (not quilted, of course) would work well beneath your nice frock coat. You will need a pair of 18th c stays but I think you have a pair?
Maybe an nice baldric strung from your shoulder? Not actually carrying a sword, but suggesting that you DO carry one.
Cream would be great too it would set off the brown very well. Good call ;D
My newest pirate garb that I wore for the first time to Bristol over the labor day weekend.
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e109/LadyReneeBuchanan/DSCN0604.jpg)
Aaarrrgh! There be pyrates afoot!
Well done Lady Renee! You don't even need weapons!
I LOVE the bloomers from the peak we can see.